Team has underperformed over the last 12 months admits http://www.senore.com/Cricket/IR-Bell-c1597 – Cricket News Update
Ahead of the all-important Lord’s Test, Ian Bell, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 middle-order batsman, has admitted that the team has underperformed since reaching the summit of Test cricket last year.
“We worked hard to get to No.1 and it all comes down to this match at Lord's," Bell said. "It's been a bit different being the team being chased. It's like it was for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 last year. It's a change and it's also changed how people see us.”
One down in the series and without one of their top performers, the home side is precariously perched in what is slated to be a grand encounter. The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 controversy has certainly tested their team unity and all could fall apart even more in the coming week if they fail to win against a confident South African unit.
Despite their impressive showings in the shorter formats in recent times, the Poms have managed to offer little in terms of consistency in the Test version since holding the no.1 crown last year where they thrashed then no.1 Test team, India, by 4-0.
Now being on the receiving end of a similar backlash, the Poms’ fate is hanging by a thread and the only way out is performing to their old selves in the upcoming clash. Their current position has come as a result of a disappointing 2012 where they were outplayed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at UAE, conceding a 3-0 defeat.
That was followed by a loss and a win against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 which barely allowed them to retain their Test supremacy. Victory against a below-par West Indian side seemed more of a missed opportunity after they got plundered by a rampant Proteas in the opening Test at the Oval.
Bell acknowledged their inability to handle pressure over the past year, giving credence to earlier statements by coach Flower.
"We all sat down and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Andrew-Flower-c44362 was keen to remind us that the hard work was only just starting.”
"Getting to No.1 was just part of it. We wanted as a group to stay there as long as possible. But we haven't performed. Over the last 12 months we haven't really been in the form of the last three years so it's put us under pressure to stay there,” he added.
The battle to save supremacy starts from Thursday, August 16th.
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